Our Psychology Programme
Building Tomorrow’s Psychological Scientists
Dr. Gordon Wright
Welcome to Psychology at Goldsmiths
Where Science Meets Society
Preparing you to make a difference
Before We Begin…
Please join our mailing list
Vision Exercise #1: You in 3 Years
- It’s graduation day, 2028
- You’re walking across the stage with your Psychology degree
- What skills do you have that you didn’t have today?
- What questions can you answer now that puzzled you before?
- How do you think differently about human behavior?
- What impact are you ready to make in the world?
Hold onto these thoughts…
Vision Exercise #2: The Hiring Manager
Now… You’re Ancient (Like Me!)
It’s 2050. You’re running an organization.
- Candidate A: Brilliant grades, memorized textbooks, follows instructions perfectly
- Candidate B: Strong grades AND thinks critically, solves novel problems, works with diverse teams, asks right questions, challenges assumptions respectfully
Who do you hire?
What would make YOU the Candidate B of 2028?
This is What We help YOU Build!
Our Psychology Programme: The Big Picture
BPS Accredited - Your First Step to Professional Psychology
Research-Led - Faculty are Active Researchers, Not Just Teachers
Applied Focus - Real Problems, Real Solutions, Real Impact
Small Cohorts - You’re Not Just a Number
London Advantage - The World’s Psychology Hub
The Three Pillars
Three Themes - continued
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Clinical Psychology
- Positive Psychology
- Neurodiversity
- Personal Development
- Evidence-Based Interventions
Cognition & Culture
- How We Think
- Cultural Psychology
- Perception & Attention
- Art & Creativity
- Cross-Cultural Research
Life & Society
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Science
- Relationships
- Political Psychology
- Social Justice
A-Level vs University: The Great Divide
A-Level Psychology
- Memorize theories and studies
- Accept what textbooks say
- Learn the “right” answers
- Individual work focus
- Describe phenomena
- Simple cause-effect thinking
- UK-centric examples
- Teacher-directed learning
University Psychology
- Critically evaluate evidence
- Question everything (respectfully!)
- Construct your own understanding
- Collaborate on complex problems
- Explain WHY things happen
- Systems thinking approach
- Global perspectives
- Self-directed exploration
Example: Depression
A-Level Approach
Depression is caused by low serotonin.
Studies show CBT is effective.
Beck’s cognitive triad explains negative thinking.
End of story, P.E. Next!.
University Approach
What complex factors interact to create depression risk?
How do cultural contexts shape expression?
Which interventions work for whom and why?
What are the limitations of current research?
Opening the door!
Year 1: Building Your Foundation
Our Themes
Research Methods & Statistics
- Learning R programming
- Designing experiments
- Critical evaluation skills
- Data visualization
- Reproducible research
Assessment: Lab-book + Reports + Exam
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Personal wellbeing planning
- Behavioral experiments
- Evidence-based interventions
- Theory meets practice
Assessment: Wellbeing plan + Behavioral experiment report
Themes continued
Cognition & Culture
- Group poster projects
- Public communication
- Individual differences
- Cross-cultural perspectives
Assessment: Group poster + Individual presentation
Life & Society
- Policy brief writing
- First 1001 days research
- Social development
- Applied implications
Assessment: Exam + Policy brief
College-wide Module
Connected Curriculum: Identity, Agency & Environment
- Critical thinking skills
- Interdisciplinary perspectives
- Creative assessment options
- Contemporary issues
Choose your format: Essay, podcast, video, poster…
Applications of Psychological Research
- Participate in real research
- Communicate to public
- Ethics and responsibility
- Research impact
Assessment: Research participation + Public communication
Personal & Professional Development
Every Week, Every Year
- Personal Tutor - Your academic mentor
- Career exploration - Where psychology can take you
- Skill development - Leadership, teamwork, communication
- Reflection practice - Understanding your learning journey
- Industry connections - Guest speakers, placements, networking
- Research opportunities - Join faculty research teams
Not an add-on - it’s integral to your degree
Term 3: Integration, Application, Celebration
Term 3 information here.
Year 2: Deepening Your Expertise
Same Structure, Greater Depth
Mental Health & Wellbeing v2
- Advanced therapeutic approaches
- Complex case studies
- Intervention design
- Cultural considerations in mental health
Cognition & Culture v2
- Advanced cognitive theories
- Cross-cultural research methods
- Individual differences in depth
- Applied cognitive psychology
Life & Society v2
- Complex social phenomena
- Advanced developmental theories
- Social psychology applications
- Policy implications
Your Chosen Research Topic
- Design and conduct your own group research project
- Choose a topic that interests YOU within the themes
- Real data collection and analysis
- Present findings at student conference
Same Structure, University-Level Depth
Year 3: Expertise & Independence
Dissertation: Your Masterpiece
- 400+ hours of independent research
- Supervision from expert faculty
- Contribute new knowledge to the field
- Preparation for postgraduate study
Optional Modules (Choose from 15+ options)
- Addictive Behaviours
- Neuropsychology
- Psychology of the Arts
- Behavioural Genetics
- Psychology and Law
- Advanced Coding
- Clinical Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The Goldsmiths Difference
Research-Active Faculty
Every lecturer is conducting cutting-edge research
State-of-the-Art Facilities
- EEG/TMS Laboratory
- Eye-Tracking Lab
- Infant Development Lab
- Forensic Psychology Suite
- Virtual Reality Lab
London Laboratory
The city as your research site - diversity, culture, opportunity
Social Justice Focus
Psychology for positive social change
Creative Community
Where science meets art, music, and social action
Our Research Groups
Join Our Research Community
Cognition & Neuroscience
- Brain imaging studies
- Cognitive enhancement
- Attention and perception
- Consciousness research
Developmental & Educational Science
- Child development
- Learning sciences
- Educational neuroscience
- Family systems
Forensic & Clinical Science
- Criminal behavior analysis
- Therapeutic interventions
- Risk assessment
- Mental health research
Social Processes & Personality
- Intergroup relations
- Political psychology
- Cultural psychology
- Individual differences
Student Research Showcase
Recent Student Projects:
- “Experiences of students with ASD in mainstream school”
- “The relationship between procrastination and wellbeing”
- “The role of music in advertising effectiveness”
- “Perceptions of doping in competitive sport”
- “How line-ups affect eye-witness testimony”
- “Perceptions of stalking: when do behaviours cross the line?”
Your research could be next!
Why Choose Goldsmiths?
The Numbers Tell a Story
THE World University Rankings 2024
Top 150 Psychology departments worldwide
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
82% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent
Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) 2021
#1 in UK for social mobility
Graduate Outcomes
95% of our graduates in employment or further study within 15 months
Why Choose Goldsmiths?
You’ll Be Known
Small cohorts mean individual attention, not lecture hall anonymity
You’ll Be Challenged
We push you to think deeper, question more, create solutions
You’ll Be Supported
Comprehensive pastoral care and academic mentoring
You’ll Be Connected
Alumni network spanning clinical practice, research, business, and public service
You’ll Be Ready
Skills that employers actually want: critical thinking, research literacy, communication, collaboration
Career Pathways
Where Our Graduates Go
Clinical Psychology
- NHS Clinical Psychologist
- Private Practice
- Research Clinician
- Neuropsychologist
Research & Academia
- PhD Research
- University Lecturer
- Think Tank Researcher
- Policy Advisor
Forensic Psychology
- Prison Psychology Services
- Police Advisory Roles
- Court Assessment
- Victim Support Services
Business & Consulting
- Human Resources
- Market Research
- User Experience Design
- Organizational Development
Education & Training
- Educational Psychology
- Training and Development
- School Counseling
- Special Educational Needs
Public Service
- Civil Service
- Local Government
- Charity Sector
- Healthcare Management
Are you Goldsmiths?
What We Look For
- Genuine interest in psychological science
- Critical thinking abilities
- Communication skills
- Commitment to evidence-based practice
- Enthusiasm for research and application
Making Your Application Stand Out
Personal Statement Tips
- Show genuine engagement with psychology beyond A-level
- Demonstrate critical thinking - don’t just describe studies
- Include relevant experience - volunteering, work, personal projects
- Express clear motivation for studying psychology
- Show awareness of psychology as a science
Preparation for Goldsmiths
- Bring yourself and your loftiest ambitions
Let’s Get Practical
Student Support & Wellbeing
Academic Support
- Personal tutors throughout your degree
- Study skills workshops
- Writing support center
- Peer mentoring scheme
- Research methods drop-in sessions
Wellbeing Support
- Counseling and mental health services
- Disability and inclusion support
- Financial advice and hardship funds
- Student health center
- 24/7 support helpline
Career Support
- Careers guidance and planning
- Internship and placement support
- Graduate school application assistance
- CV and interview preparation
- Alumni mentoring network
Life at Goldsmiths
Campus Life
- New Cross location - Zone 2, 10 minutes to central London
- Cutting edge facilities for psychology research
- 24/7 library access during term time
- Student union with 60+ societies
- Psychology Society - your academic and social home
The London Advantage
- World-class Psychology Hub
- Internship opportunities across all sectors
- Cultural diversity enriching your studies
- Networking events with industry professionals
- Graduate employment opportunities
Student Experience
- Small class sizes - get to know your classmates and lecturers
- Research participation - contribute to cutting-edge studies
- Student Conference & Journal - showcase your work
- Fieldwork opportunities - real-world data collection
Financial Support
- Bursaries and scholarships available
- Part-time work opportunities on campus
- Financial advice service
- Hardship funds for unexpected difficulties
Back to Our Vision
Remember Your Future Self?
The Skills You’ll Develop:
- Critical Analysis - Question everything, evaluate evidence rigorously
- Research Literacy - Design studies, analyze data, interpret findings
- Communication - Write clearly, present confidently, teach others
- Collaboration - Work effectively in diverse teams
- Ethical Reasoning - Navigate complex moral landscapes
- Cultural Competence - Understand psychology across cultures
- Problem-Solving - Apply psychological knowledge to real challenges
- Self-Reflection - Understand your own biases and limitations
You’ll Be the Candidate B Every Employer Wants
Your Psychology Journey Starts Here
Three years from now…
- You’ll think like a scientist
- You’ll question like a scholar
- You’ll communicate like a professional
- You’ll solve problems like an innovator
- You’ll understand people like never before
- You’ll be ready to make a difference
The question is: Are you ready to begin?
Questions & Discussion
What questions do you have about your psychology future?
Thank You
Psychology at Goldsmiths
Where your future begins
Contact Information & Mailing list
- Email: g.wright@gold.ac.uk
- Website: gold.ac.uk/psychology
![]()
Ready to join us? Let’s make it happen.
Psychology Programme | Goldsmiths | 2025